Approximately $634.8 billion of trade of commodities occurred between the U.S. and China in 2019. These items included braces to help fix overlapped, misaligned, or crooked teeth. They’re the most effective solution for a straighter, more attractive smile. Unfixed misaligned teeth can lead to health problems like gum disease, speech or chewing, and jaw problems.
When starting an orthodontic procedure, it’s common to ask what braces are made of. Braces are commonly made of chromium, nickel, and titanium alloys. Some precious metals like sapphire and gold can be used to make orthodontics. This leads us to the question, what metals are braces made of?
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the approved method of correcting, straightening, and realigning teeth. They’re commonly used in orthodontics, besides other types of braces like lingual and ceramic. Metal braces are made of sturdy, lightweight materials like titanium, gold, stainless steel, etc. Typically, metals are heated to temperatures above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to confirm their physical properties for any application. Colored elastics can be added to metal braces for a more colorful and unique smile. Here are parts of the main metal braces:
Brackets
They’re small metal structures attached to the side and front teeth. The dentist uses special adhesives or attaches them using orthodontics bands. Brackets act like handles that allow you to grab onto your teeth to move them.
Archwire
It’s a metallic wire passing through the brackets of each tooth to the back of your mouth. Your dentist wraps it around the back molar for stronger stability. This wire follows the curve of your jaws. The main role of the archwire is to align the teeth into their proper position. These wires are made of high-quality 304 stainless steel that can withstand temperatures up to 540 degrees Celsius.
Ligature Elastics
These rubber bands help attach the archwire to the brackets on each tooth. Without ligature elastics, the archwire can’t be sturdy and couldn’t perform its job.
You shouldn’t feel pain when having your braces fitted. However, you’ll feel uncomfortable after the initial placement, during, and after adjustments. The pain of metal braces feels like throbbing or dull soreness. Fortunately, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen if you’ve pain.
Taking Care of Metal Braces
A balanced diet and good oral hygiene are crucial for metal braces. Adequate brushing helps prevent plaque buildup and dental diseases like gingivitis. It would help if you did the following whenever you have braces:
- Brush at least thrice a day
- Brush at least an hour after meals
- Brush on, above, and below the braces
Moreover, clean your teeth with other suitable tools like interdental brushes or floss threaders. Your dentist can help recommend a specialized cleaning tool or toothbrush to clean the teeth properly. You must also avoid chewy, sticky, or hard foods as they can easily damage your braces. These include:
- Nuts
- Ice
- Corn
- Popcorn
- Ribs
- Chewing gum
- Chewy and hard sweets
- Raw vegetables like carrots
- Whole hard fruits like apples
- Hard bread such as bagels or rolls
It would be best to cut any hard food into bite-sized pieces. Dentists also recommend eating soft meals in the first few days after fitting the braces. These meals foods include:
- Pasta
- Yogurt
- Soft bread
- Scrambled eggs
- Canned or cooked fruits
- Mashed vegetables and fruits
If you’ve ever experienced discomfort, frustration, or lack of confidence due to crooked or overgrown teeth, then a set of metal braces is what you need to fix your smile. They can also solve a broad range of dental conditions that cause a negative impact on your overall health. Make sure you talk openly with your dentist about your particular dental problem. Metal braces can achieve excellent results in no time.